Weapon with thermal management components

ABSTRACT

A weapon includes a cover system that extends a length. The cover system includes an opening that extends through the length of the cover system. The weapon includes a barrel that extends through the opening of the cover system. The cover system includes a composite material that is configured to provide thermal insulation relative to heat emitted from the barrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to weapons.

Some known weapons (e.g., AR-15s, M4′s, M-16′s, other firearms,artillery pieces, etc.) heat up during use and/or exposure to the sun.The weapon may become so hot that the user has to wear gloves to protectthe user from being burned when handling the weapon. In some situations,for example when the weapon is used for extended firing during afirelight, the heat from numerous fired rounds may build up to the pointthat the accuracy and/or operation of the weapon may be deteriorated.Moreover, the chamber of the weapon may become so hot that a chamberedround may fire, or “cook-off”, without the trigger of the weapon beingengaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a weapon includes a cover system that extends alength. The cover system includes an opening that extends through thelength of the cover system. The weapon includes a barrel that extendsthrough the opening of the cover system. The cover system includes acomposite material that is configured to provide thermal insulationrelative to heat emitted from the barrel.

In another embodiment, a weapon includes a cover system extending alength to an end of the cover system. The weapon includes a barrelhaving an exposed segment that extends outwardly from the end of thecover system and is exposed to ambient air. A heat sink is mounted tothe exposed segment of the barrel. The heat sink is configured todissipate heat from the barrel to the ambient air. A heat pipe ismounted to the barrel such that the heat pipe thermally communicateswith the heat sink. The heat pipe is configured to direct heat to theheat sink from a location along the barrel that is spaced apart from theheat sink.

In another embodiment, a cover system is provided for a weapon thatincludes a barrel. The cover system includes a base extending a length.The base includes an opening that extends through the length of thebase. The base is configured to be mounted to the weapon such that thebarrel extends through the opening of the base. At least one railextends from the base. At least one of the base or the at least one railincludes a composite material that is configured to provide thermalinsulation relative to heat emitted from the barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of aweapon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the weapon shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the weapon shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is another side elevational view of a portion of the weapon shownin FIGS. 1-3 illustrating the weapon with an exemplary embodiment of acover system removed the weapon.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of aweapon.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of another exemplary embodiment of aweapon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a weapon10. In the exemplary embodiment, the weapon 100 is an AR-15 or M-16style weapon, however, the weapon 10 is not limited to AR-15 styleweapons. For example, the weapon 10 is not limited to firearms that canbe carried by a person. Rather, the weapon 10 may be any type of weaponthat generates heat during use. Other examples of the weapon 10 include,but are not limited to, artillery pieces, cannon, relatively largemachine guns or other guns that cannot be carried by a person, and/orthe like.

In the exemplary embodiment, the weapon 10 is of a type that includes abarrel 12 and a cover system 14. The weapon 10 includes a chamber 13wherein a projectile is inserted prior to being fired. In the exemplaryembodiment, the chamber 13 defines a segment of the barrel 12. But, thechamber 13 may be separate from the barrel 12 in alternativeembodiments, for example similar to a revolver wherein the chamber is aportion of a firing cylinder. The weapon 10 may include a lower part 16that includes a lower receiver 18, a hand grip 20, and a butt stock 22.The hand grip 20 and butt stock 22 each extend from the lower receiver18 of the lower part 16. The lower part 16 may include other componentsof the weapon 10. The lower part 16 may sometimes be referred to as a“base”. The cover system 14 may sometimes be referred to as a “forwardcover system” or a “hand guard”.

The weapon 10 may include an upper part 24 that is coupled to the lowerpart 16. The upper part 24 includes the barrel 12, an upper receiver 26,and the cover system 14. The upper part 24 may include other componentsof the weapon 10. The barrel 12 is provided at one end of the weapon 10and the butt stock 22 is provided at the opposite end of the weapon 10.The upper receiver 26 of the upper part 24 and the lower receiver 18 ofthe lower part 16 may be removably coupled to one another. In theexemplary embodiment, the lower receiver 18 includes a buffer tube 28extending rearward therefrom. The butt stock 22 is coupled to, andextends from, the buffer tube 28 of the lower receiver 18. The hand grip20 extends from the lower receiver 18.

The cover system 14 extends from the upper receiver 26. Specifically,the cover system 14 extends a length outwardly from the upper receiver26 to an end 30 of the cover system 14. The cover system 14 includes anopening 32 that extends through the length of the cover system 14. Thebarrel 12 is held by the upper receiver 26 such that the barrel 12extends a length outwardly from the upper receiver 26 to an end 34 ofthe barrel 12. The barrel 12 extends from the upper receiver 26, throughthe opening 32 of the cover system 14, and outwardly from the end 30 ofthe cover system 14 to the end 34.

One or more components (not shown) may be mounted to the cover system14. For example, the weapon 10 may include, but is not limited toincluding, a laser, a light (e.g., a flashlight), a sight, a rangefinder, night vision scope, a telescopic scope, a camera (e.g., a videocamera, a night vision camera, and/or a still camera), a microphone, aspeaker, and/or the like that is mounted to the cover system 14.Optionally, the upper receiver 26 is movable relative to the lowerreceiver 18 between a closed position (shown in FIG. 1) and an openposition (not shown). In the open position, internal components of theweapon 10 may be accessed, such as, but not limited to, for removing acartridge, casing, and/or projectile jammed in the weapon 10, and/or forcleaning the barrel 12.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the weapon 10. As describedabove, the length of the barrel 12 extends from the upper receiver 26,through the opening 32 of the cover system 14, and outwardly from theend 30 of the cover system 14 to the end 34 of the barrel 12. The lengthof the barrel 12 includes an exposed segment 36 and a covered segment38. The exposed segment 36 extends outwardly from the end 30 of thecover system 14 and includes the end 34 of the barrel 12. At least aportion of the length of the exposed segment 36 is exposed to ambientair. In the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the length of the exposedsegment 36 is covered by an optional heat sink 40 (described below withreference to FIGS. 2-4) that is mounted to the exposed segment 36, suchthat only a portion of the length of the exposed segment 36 is exposedto ambient air. Alternatively, an approximate entirety of the length ofthe exposed segment 36 is exposed to ambient air. Moreover, othercomponents (not shown; such as, but not limited to, a sight and/or thelike) of the weapon 10 may be mounted to the exposed segment 36 in amanner that covers at least a portion of the length of the exposedsegment 36. Any amount of the length of the exposed segment 36 may beexposed to ambient air.

The covered segment 38 of the barrel 12 extends between the exposedsegment 36 and the upper receiver 26. The covered segment 38 extendswithin the opening 32 of the cover system 14 and is at least partiallysurrounded by the cover system 14. In the exemplary embodiment, thecover system 14 surrounds an approximate entirety of the exteriorcircumference of the covered segment 38 along an approximate entirety ofthe length of the covered segment 38. But, the cover system 14 mayalternatively surround only a portion of the exterior circumference ofthe covered segment 38 along an approximate entirety or only a portionof the length of the covered segment 38. For example, the cover system14 may not form a continuous ring around the exterior circumference ofthe covered segment 38 and/or the cover system 14 may include one ormore slots (not shown, e.g., within a base 44 of the cover system 14)that exposes a portion of the exterior circumference of the coveredsegment 38.

Optionally, the cover system 14 includes a composite material 42 that isconfigured to provide thermal insulation relative to heat emitted fromthe barrel 12, as will be described below. The cover system 14 includesa base 44 and one or more rails 46 that extend from the base 44. In theexemplary embodiment, the cover system 14 includes four rails 46, butthe cover system 14 may include any number of the rails 46. As describedabove, one or more components (not shown) may be mounted on the coversystem 14. Specifically, one or more components may be mounted to one ormore of the rails 46. For example, one or more components may be mountedto an upper rail 46 a of the rails 46. One or more of the rails 46 mayinclude a textured surface 48 or other structure to, for example,facilitate mounting one or more components to the rails 46 and/orprovide a non-slippery gripping surface. In the exemplary embodiment,the textured surface 48 of the rails 46 is provided by a plurality ofteeth 50 that extend outwardly on the rails 46. Other textures andstructures may be provided in addition or alternative to the teeth 50.The teeth 50 are sometimes referred to as “recoil grooves”.

The cover system 14 may function as a hand guard. Specifically, thecover system 14 may provide a location on the weapon 10 for a user tograsp and/or support the weapon 10 with the user's hand and/or arm. Insome alternative embodiments, the cover system 14 does not include therails 46, but rather merely provides a hand guard and/or a location tomount a sling (not shown) to the weapon 10.

As discussed above, the cover system 14 may include a composite material42. The composite material 42 is selected as a material that willprovide a predetermined amount of thermal insulation to heat emittedfrom the barrel 12. For example, the composite material 42 may provide apredetermined amount of thermal insulation relative to heat emitted fromthe exposed segment 36 of the barrel 12. In the exemplary embodiment,the base 44 of the cover system 14 is fabricated from the compositematerial 42, while the rails 46 are fabricated from a metal. In somealternative embodiments, the rails 46 are formed from the compositematerial 42 (in addition or alternatively to the base 44). In theexemplary embodiment, the composite material 42 of the base 44 thermallyinsulates the rails 46 from heat emitted from the barrel 12. The thermalinsulative properties of the composite material 42 also thermallyinsulate the base 44 from heat emitted from the barrel 12.

The rails 46 may be fabricated from any materials, for example a metalas in the exemplary embodiment. When fabricated from a metal, the rails46 may be fabricated from any metal, such as, but not limited to,aluminum, steel, and/or the like. Other materials that the rails 46 maybe fabricated from include, but are not limited to, wood, a plastic, thecomposite material 42, another type of composite material, and/or thelike. In some embodiments, the rails 46 are integrally foie ed with thebase 44 from the same materials (e.g., the composite material 42) as thebase 44. In other embodiments, for example as in the exemplaryembodiment, the rails 46 are discrete components of the cover system 14that are mounted to the base 44.

The predetermined amount of thermal insulation provided by the compositematerial 42 may provide a cooler gripping surface on the cover system 14for a user to grasp the weapon 10. Accordingly, the thermal insulationprovided by the composite material 42 may enable a user to grasp theweapon 10 without burning the user's hands, without experiencingdiscomfort, and/or without using gloves. The predetermined amount ofthermal insulation provided by the composite material 42 may providebetter repeatability for mounting components on the cover system 14. Forexample, the thermal insulative properties of the composite material 42may facilitate reducing the amount that the base 44 and/or the rails 46of the cover system 14 warp when subjected to heat emitted by the barrel12. The mounting locations at which components are mounted to the coversystem 14 may therefore experience less movement after a heat cycle(e.g., use) of the weapon 10, which may enable a component to berepeatedly mounted to, and dismounted from, the cover system 14 atsubstantially the same position relative to the remainder of the weapon10. Moreover, the mounting locations at which components are mounted tothe cover system 14 may therefore experience less movement during a heatcycle (e.g., use) of the weapon 10, which increase an accuracy of theweapon 10 by providing a more stable mounting location for a telescopicscope, a sight, a laser, a light, a range finder, a night vision scope,and/or the like. The composite material 42 of the cover system 14 maydecrease a weight of the cover system 14, which may decrease an overallweight of the weapon 10 and/or may enable other locations, parts,structures, and/or components of the weapon 10 to be increased in numberand/or weight.

Various parameters of the composite material 42 and/or other componentsof the weapon 10 may be selected to provide the composite material 42with the predetermined amount of thermal insulation. For example,various parameters of the composite material 42 may be selected toprovide the composite material 42 with a predetermined value of thermalconductivity k and/or with a predetermined R-value within theoperational temperature range of the weapon 10. In some embodiments, thecomposite material 42 has a thermal conductivity k of less thanapproximately 1.00 watts per meter Kelvin (W/(m·K)), of less thanapproximately 0.50 W/(m·K), or of less than less than approximately 0.10W/(m·K) within the operational temperature range of the weapon 10. Theparameters of the composite material 42 and/or other components of theweapon 10 that may be selected to provide the composite material 42 withthe predetermined amount of thermal insulation include, but are notlimited to, the particular materials that constitute the compositematerial 42 (e.g., a particular matrix material, a particularreinforcement material, and/or the like), the particular type ofcomposite material, a thickness of the composite material 42, the amountof radial spacing, if any, between the barrel 12 and the compositematerial 42, the materials used to fabricate the rails 46, anorientation and/or pattern of a reinforcement material of the compositematerial 42, a number and/or volume of fibers of a reinforcementmaterial, and/or the like.

The particular type of the composite material 42 may be any type ofcomposite material that enables the composite material 42 to provide thepredetermined amount of thermal insulation. Examples of the particulartype of the composite material 42 include, but are not limited to, afiber-reinforced composite material, a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), athermoplastic composite, a short fiber thermoplastic, a long fiberthermoplastic, a continuous fiber thermoplastic, a thermoset composite,a shape memory polymer composite, a metal matrix composite (MMC), aceramic matrix composite, cermet, an organic matrix/ceramic aggregatecomposite, a wood plastic composite, an engineered wood, and/or thelike. As described above, the particular type of the composite material42 may be selected to provide the composite material 42 with thepredetermined amount of thermal insulation.

The particular materials that constitute the composite material 42 mayinclude any materials that enable the composite material 42 to providethe predetermined amount of thermal insulation. In some embodiments, thecomposite material 42 includes a reinforcement material and a matrixmaterial. Examples of reinforcement materials of the composite material42 include, but are not limited to, a short fiber reinforcementmaterial, a long fiber reinforcement material, a continuous fiberreinforcement material, glass fibers, metal fibers, a metal powder,carbon fibers, aramid fibers, para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, aceramic, and/or the like. The reinforcement materials may be arranged inany orientation and/or pattern, such as, but not limited to, a randompattern, a woven pattern, and/or the like. Examples of matrix materialsof the composite material 42 include, but are not limited to, polyester,vinyl ester, epoxy, phenolic, polyimide, polyamide, polypropylene,polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a shape memory polymer, a ceramic, and/orthe like. As described above, the particular materials that constitutethe composite material 42 may be selected to provide the compositematerial 42 with the predetermined amount of thermal insulation.

In the exemplary embodiment, an interior surface 52 of the base 44 ofthe cover system 14 is radially spaced apart from the exteriorcircumference of the covered segment 38 of the barrel 12. The upper part24 of the weapon 10 includes an optional thermal insulation member 54that extends between the cover system 14 and the barrel 12.Specifically, the thermal insulation member 54 extends within theopening 32 of the cover system 14 radially between the interior surface52 of the cover system 14 and the exterior circumference of the barrel12 along at least a portion of the length of the cover system 14. Thethermal insulation member 54 provides thermal insulation between thecover system 14 and the covered segment 38 of the barrel 12. The thermalinsulation member 54 may be configured to provide any amount of thermalinsulation between the barrel 12 and the cover system 14. The thermalinsulation member 54 may be fabricated from any materials that enablethe thermal insulation member 54 to provide thermal insulation betweenthe cover system 14 and the barrel 12, such as, but not limited to,mineral wool, glass wool, a composite material (e.g., the compositematerial 42 or another type of composite material), an elastomeric foam,a rigid foam, plyethylene, aerogel, a spray foam, wood, extrudedpolystyrene foam, and/or the like.

In some alternative embodiments, an air gap extends between the interiorsurface 52 of the base 44 of the cover system 14 and the exteriorcircumference of the covered segment 38 of the barrel 12. Moreover, insome alternative embodiments, the interior surface 52 of the base 44 isengaged with the exterior circumference of the covered segment 38 and/oris engaged with one or more optional heat pipes 56 (described below withrespect to FIG. 4).

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the weapon 10.Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, as briefly described above, the weapon10 may include a heat sink 40. In the exemplary embodiment, the upperpart 24 of the weapon 10 includes the heat sink 40. The heat sink 40 ismounted to the exposed segment 36 of the barrel 12 and is exposed toambient air. The heat sink 40 may be mounted to the barrel 12 at anylocation along the length of the exposed segment 36.

The heat sink 40 is configured to dissipate heat from the barrel 12 tothe ambient air. In the exemplary embodiment, the heat sink 40 includesa cylindrical body 58 that extends a length along a central longitudinalaxis 60 (not shown in FIG. 2) from an end 62 to an opposite end 64. Thebody 58 includes a collar 66 and one or more fins 68 that extendradially (relative to the central longitudinal axis 60) outwardly fromthe collar 66. The fins 68 are configured to dissipate heat to theambient air. The collar 66 includes a central opening 70 that extendsalong the central longitudinal axis 60 through the length of the collar66. A radially (relative to the central longitudinal axis 60) interiorsurface 72 of the collar 66 defines the central opening 70. The heatsink 40 may include any number of the fins 68, which may be arranged inany other pattern and/or configuration than is shown. In addition oralternative to the fins 68, the heat sink 40 may include any otherstructure that facilitates dissipating heat to the ambient air (e.g.,any structure that increases the surface area of the heat sink 40.

The heat sink 40 is mounted to the exposed segment 36 of the barrel 12such that the exposed segment 36 extends through the central opening 70.The collar 66 extends around at least a portion of the exteriorcircumference of the exposed segment 36 of the barrel 12. In theexemplary embodiment, the collar 66 forms a simple closed curve suchthat the collar 66 extends around an approximate entirety of theexterior circumference of the exposed segment 36. But, the collar 66 mayalternatively form an open curve such that the collar 66 extends aroundonly a portion of the exterior circumference of the exposed segment 36.

When mounted to the exposed segment 36 of the barrel 12 as shown anddescribed herein, the interior surface 72 of the collar 66 is engagedwith the exterior circumference of the exposed segment 36. The body 58of the heat sink 40 absorbs heat from the exposed segment 36 of thebarrel 12 via the engagement between the body 58 and the exposed segment36. The body 58 of the heat sink 40 dissipates the heat absorbed fromexposed segment 36 to the ambient air via the exterior surface area ofthe body 58. For example, heat is dissipated to the ambient air via theexterior surface area of the fins 68. Moreover, and as will be describedbelow, the heat pipes 56 may be used to enable the body 58 of the heatsink 40 to dissipate heat from the covered segment 38 of the barrel 12to the ambient air.

Various parameters of the heat sink 40 may be selected such that theheat sink 40 is configured to dissipate a predetermined amount of heatfrom the barrel 12 and/or is configured to dissipate heat from thebarrel 12 at a predetermined rate. For example, various parameters ofthe heat sink 40 may be selected to provide the heat sink 40 with apredetermined thermal conductivity k within the operational temperaturerange of the weapon 10. In some embodiments, the heat sink 40 has athermal conductivity k of greater than approximately 100 W/(m·K), ofgreater than approximately 200 W/(m·K), or of greater than approximately350 W/(m·K) within the operational temperature range of the weapon 10.Examples of the various parameters of the heat sink 40 that may beselected include, but are not limited to, the materials used tofabricate the heat sink 40, the size of the heat sink 40, the exteriorsurface area of the heat sink 40, the shape of the heat sink 40, thestructure and/or configuration of the heat sink 40, the location of theheat sink 40 along the length of the barrel 12, and/or the like. Stillfurther examples of the various parameters of the heat sink 40 that maybe selected include, but are not limited to, the number of fins 68, thesize of each of the fins 68, the shape of each of the fins 68, thespacing between adjacent fins 68, the exterior surface area of each ofthe fins 68, the pattern and/or configuration of the fins 68, and/or thelike. Examples of materials used to fabricate the heat sink 40 include,but are not limited to, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copperallow, diamond, and/or the like.

FIG. 4 is another side elevational view of a portion of the weapon 10.The cover system 14 (FIGS. 1-3) has been removed from the weapon 10 inFIG. 4 to illustrate the heat pipes 56 and the covered segment 38 of thebarrel 12. As briefly described above, the heat pipes 56 may be used toenable the body 58 of the heat sink 40 to dissipate heat from thecovered segment 38 of the barrel 12 to the ambient air. Specifically,the heat pipes 56 are configured to direct heat from the covered segment38 of the barrel 12 to the heat sink 40. As the heat sink 40 is mountedto the exposed segment 36 of the barrel, the heat pipes 56 direct heatto the heat sink 40 from one or more locations along the length of thebarrel 12 that are spaced apart from the heat sink 40 (e.g., one or morelocations along the covered segment 38).

The heat pipes 56 are mounted to the barrel 12 such that each heat pipe56 extends a length outwardly from the heat sink 40, and along thelength of the barrel 12, in a direction toward the butt stock 22 (FIG.1), which is indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4. The lengths of the heatpipes 56 extend from ends 74 of the heat pipes 56 to opposite ends 76 ofthe heat pipes 56. The ends 74 of the heat pipes 56 are in thermalcommunication with the heat sink 40 such that the heat pipes 56thermally communicate with the heat sink 40. The heat pipes 56 extendalong at least a portion of the length of the covered segment 38 of thebarrel 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the heat pipes 56 extend along amajority of the length of the covered segment 38. But, each heat pipe 56may extend along any amount and/or portion of the length of the coveredsegment 38. In some embodiments, one or more heat pipes 56 extends alonga different amount and/or portion of the length of the covered segment38 than one or more other heat pipes 56.

The hottest areas of the barrel 12 may be the chamber 13 (FIG. 1),segments of the barrel 12 that are proximate the chamber 13, and the gastube area. The ends 76 of the heat pipes 56 may be positioned as closeto the chamber 13 without affecting the structural integrity duringpressure loading. In some embodiments, the heat pipes 56 extend alongthe barrel 12 such that the ends 76 are positioned along the chamber 13and/or the gas tube area. For example, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional viewof another exemplary embodiment of a weapon 110. The weapon 110 includesa barrel 112, a chamber 113, and one or more heat pipes 156. Althoughonly one is shown in FIG. 5, the weapon 110 may include any number ofthe heat pipes 156. The barrel 112 includes a central bore 115 and acavity 117. The cavity 117 extends along at least a portion of thelength of the chamber 112 and is spaced radially apart from the centralbore 115. The heat pipe 156 includes an end 176 that is received withinthe cavity 115 such that the end 176 extends along at least a portion ofthe length of the chamber 113.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the heat pipes 56 include interior surfaces78 that are engaged with the exterior circumference of the coveredsegment 38. The heat pipes 56 absorb heat from the covered segment 38 ofthe barrel 12 via the engagement between the heat pipes 56 and thecovered segment 38. The heat pipes 56 direct the heat absorbed from thecovered segment 38 to the heat sink 40 via the thermal communicationbetween the heat pipes 56 and the heat sink 40. In some embodiments, theheat pipes 56 direct heat from the chamber 13, the gas tube area, and/orsegments of the barrel 12 that are proximate the chamber 13 to the heatsink 40. The body 58 of the heat sink 40 dissipates the heat absorbedfrom the heat pipes 56 to the ambient air via the exterior surface areaof the body 58. The heat sink 40 thus dissipates heat from the coveredsegment 38 of the barrel 12 to the ambient air.

Various parameters of each of the heat pipes 56 may be selected suchthat the heat pipes 56 are configured to direct a predetermined amountof heat from the covered segment 38 to the heat sink 40 and/or areconfigured to direct heat from the covered segment 38 to the heat sink40 at a predetermined rate. For example, various parameters of the heatpipes 56 may be selected to provide the heat pipes 56 with apredetermined thermal conductivity k within the operational temperaturerange of the weapon 10. In some embodiments, the heat pipes 56 have athermal conductivity k of greater than approximately 100 W/(m·K), ofgreater than approximately 200 W/(m·K), or of greater than approximately350 W/(m·K) within the operational temperature range of the weapon 10.

Examples of the various parameters of each of the heat pipes 56 that maybe selected include, but are not limited to, the materials used tofabricate the heat pipes 56, the type of heat pipe, the size (e.g.,thickness, width, length, and/or the like) of the heat pipes 56, theshape of the heat pipes 56, the number of the heat pipes 56, the amountof the length of the covered segment 38 along which the heat pipes 56extend, the surface area of engagement between the heat pipes 56 and thecovered segment 38, the structure and/or configuration of the heat pipes56, the orientation of the heat pipes 56, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the orientation of the heat pipes 56 may be selected suchthat the heat pipes 56 angle upwardly toward the heat sink 40 when theweapon 10 is held approximately level such that any liquid that turns tosteam (e.g., from exposure to heat from the covered segment 38 of thebarrel 12) within the heat pipes 56 will flow upwardly toward the heatsink 40 when the weapon 10 is held approximately level. Moreover, insome embodiments, the orientation of the heat pipes 56 may be selectedsuch that the heat pipes 56 angle downwardly toward the heat sink 40when the weapon 10 is held approximately level such that any liquidwithin the heat pipes 56 will flow downwardly toward the heat sink 40when the weapon 10 is held approximately level. Examples of types ofheat pipes 56 include, but are not limited to, fluid filled heat pipes,vacuum heat pipes, solid heat pipes, and/or the like. Examples ofmaterials used to fabricate the heat sink 40 include, but are notlimited to, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy,diamond, and/or the like. The weapon 10 may include any number of theheat pipes 56.

In the exemplary embodiment, the heat pipes 56 are integrally formedwith the heat sink 40. Alternatively, one or more of the heat pipes 56is a discrete component from the heat sink 40 that is separately formedrelative to the heat sink 40 and thereafter configured in thermalcommunication with the heat sink 40. A heat pipe 56 that is a discretecomponent from the heat sink 40 may be configured in thermalcommunication with the heat sink 40 via engagement with the heat sink40, whether or not the heat pipe 56 is otherwise connected or secured tothe heat sink 40.

The heat sink 40 facilitates faster cooling of the weapon 10 during andafter use. The heat sink 40 may facilitate increasing the accuracy ofthe weapon 10 by reducing or preventing warping of the weapon 10 duringuse. The heat sink 40 may facilitate increasing the accuracy of theweapon 10 by reducing or preventing non-uniform expansion and/orcontraction of different portions of the barrel 12 and/or other portionsof the weapon 10 caused by dissimilar heating. Moreover, the heat sink40 may facilitate preventing a chambered round from firing, or cookingoff, without the trigger of the weapon 10 being engaged.

The heat pipes 56 facilitate spreading heat out over the length of thebarrel 12 and/or over the length of the weapon 10 in general. Moreover,the heat pipes 56 direct heat from a location along the weapon 10 thatis less suitable for heat transfer (e.g., the cover system 14) to alocation along the weapon 10 that is more suitable for heat transfer(e.g., the exposed segment 36 of the barrel 12). In other words, theheat pipes 56 direct heat to a location along the weapon 10 where heatcan be dissipated at a greater rate and/or where a greater amount ofheat can be dissipated. The heat pipes 56 may thus facilitate fastercooling of the weapon 10. The heat pipes 56 may direct heat from alocation along the weapon 10 wherein a user handles, or grasps, theweapon 10 (e.g., the cover system 14) to a location where the weapon 10may not be handled (e.g., the exposed segment 36 of the barrel 12).

In some alternative embodiments, the weapon 10 does not include thecover system 14 and the heat sink 40 and heat pipes 56 are used to coolthe weapon 10, to facilitate spreading heat out over the length of thebarrel 12 and/or over the length of the weapon 10 in general, and/ordirect heat from a location along the weapon 10 that is less suitablefor heat transfer to a location along the weapon 10 that is moresuitable for heat transfer.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of another exemplary embodiment of aweapon 210. In the exemplary embodiment, the weapon 210 is an artillerypiece. The weapon 210 includes a barrel 212 that extends a length. Thelength of the barrel 212 includes an exposed segment 236 and a coveredsegment 238. At least a portion of the length of the exposed segment 236is exposed to ambient air. In the exemplary embodiment, a portion of thelength of the exposed segment 236 is covered by a heat sink 240 that ismounted to the exposed segment 236, such that only a portion of thelength of the exposed segment 236 is exposed to ambient air.

The heat sink 240 absorbs heat from the exposed segment 236 of thebarrel 212 and dissipates the heat absorbed from exposed segment 236 tothe ambient air. One or more heat pipes 256 may be used to enable theheat sink 240 to dissipate heat from the covered segment 238 of thebarrel 212 to the ambient air. The heat pipes 256 direct heat to theheat sink 240 from one or more locations along the length of the barrel212 that are spaced apart from the heat sink 240. For example, in theexemplary embodiment, the heat pipes 256 are configured to direct heatfrom the covered segment 238 of the barrel 212 to the heat sink 240.Optionally, one or more components of the weapon 210 includes acomposite material (not shown) that is configured to provide thermalinsulation relative to heat emitted from the barrel 212.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials,orientations of the various components, and the number and positions ofthe various components described herein are intended to defineparameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and aremerely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of theinvention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, theterms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A weapon comprising: a cover system extending alength, the cover system comprising an opening that extends through thelength of the cover system; and a barrel extending through the openingof the cover system, wherein the cover system comprises a compositematerial that is configured to provide thermal insulation relative toheat emitted from the barrel.
 2. The weapon of claim 1, wherein thecover system comprises a base and at least one rail extending from thebase, the base comprising the composite material such that the base isconfigured to thermally insulate the at least one rail from heat emittedfrom the barrel.
 3. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the cover systemcomprises a base and at least one rail extending from the base, the basecomprising the composite material, the at least one rail comprising ametal.
 4. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the cover system comprises abase and at least one rail extending from the base, the base comprisingthe composite material, the at least one rail comprising the compositematerial.
 5. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the composite materialcomprises a reinforcement material and a matrix material, thereinforcement material comprising at least one of glass fibers, metalfibers, a metal powder, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, para-aramidfibers, meta-aramid fibers, or a ceramic.
 6. The weapon of claim 1,wherein the composite material comprises a reinforcement material and amatrix material, the matrix material comprising at least one ofpolyester, vinyl ester, epoxy, phenolic, polyimide, polyamide,polypropylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a shape memory polymer, ora ceramic.
 7. The weapon of claim 1, wherein the composite materialcomprises at least one of a fiber-reinforced composite material, afiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), a thermoplastic composite, a short fiberthermoplastic, a long fiber thermoplastic, a continuous fiberthermoplastic, a thermoset composite, a shape memory polymer composite,a short fiber reinforcement material, a long fiber reinforcementmaterial, a continuous fiber reinforcement material, a metal matrixcomposite (MMC), a ceramic matrix composite, cermet, an organicmatrix/ceramic aggregate composite, a wood plastic composite, or anengineered wood.
 8. The weapon of claim 1, further comprising a thermalinsulation member extending within the opening of the cover systembetween the cover system and the barrel along at least a portion of thelength of the cover system.
 9. A weapon comprising: a cover systemextending a length to an end of the cover system; a barrel comprising anexposed segment that extends outwardly from the end of the cover systemand is exposed to ambient air; and a heat sink mounted to the exposedsegment of the barrel, the heat sink being configured to dissipate heatfrom the barrel to the ambient air; and a heat pipe being mounted to thebarrel such that the heat pipe thermally communicates with the heatsink, the heat pipe being configured to direct heat to the heat sinkfrom a location along the barrel that is spaced apart from the heatsink.
 10. The weapon of claim 9, wherein the heat pipe comprises atleast one of copper, a fluid filled heat pipe, or a vacuum heat pipe.11. The weapon of claim 9, wherein the heat sink comprises at least onefin that is configured to dissipate heat to the ambient air.
 12. Theweapon of claim 9, wherein the exposed segment of the barrel has anexterior circumference, the heat sink comprising a collar that extendsaround at least a portion of the exterior circumference of the exposedsegment of the barrel.
 13. The weapon of claim 9, wherein the heat sinkcomprises a cylindrical body having a central opening extendingtherethrough, the exposed segment of the barrel extending through thecentral opening of the cylindrical body of the heat sink.
 14. The weaponof claim 9, wherein the barrel includes a covered segment that is atleast partially surrounded by the cover system, the heat pipe beingconfigured to direct heat from the covered segment of the barrel to theheat sink.
 15. The weapon of claim 9, wherein the barrel includes acovered segment that is at least partially surrounded by the coversystem, the heat pipe extending along at least a portion of a length ofthe covered segment of the barrel.
 16. The weapon of claim 9, whereinthe heat pipe is oriented such that heat pipe angles one of downwardlyor upwardly toward the heat sink when the weapon is held approximatelylevel.
 17. A cover system for a weapon that includes a barrel, the coversystem comprising: a base extending a length, the base comprising anopening that extends through the length of the base, the base beingconfigured to be mounted to the weapon such that the barrel extendsthrough the opening of the base; at least one rail extending from thebase, wherein at least one of the base or the at least one railcomprises a composite material that is configured to provide thermalinsulation relative to heat emitted from the barrel.
 18. The coversystem of claim 17, wherein the base comprises the composite material,the at least one rail comprising a metal.
 19. The cover system of claim17, wherein the composite material comprises a reinforcement materialand a matrix material, the reinforcement material comprising at leastone of glass fibers, metal fibers, a metal powder, carbon fibers, aramidfibers, para-aramid fibers, meta-aramid fibers, or a ceramic, the matrixmaterial comprising at least one of polyester, vinyl ester, epoxy,phenolic, polyimide, polyamide, polypropylene, polyether ether ketone(PEEK), a shape memory polymer, or a ceramic.
 20. The cover system ofclaim 17, wherein the composite material comprises at least one of afiber-reinforced composite material, a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), athermoplastic composite, a short fiber thermoplastic, a long fiberthermoplastic, a continuous fiber thermoplastic, a thermoset composite,a shape memory polymer composite, a short fiber reinforcement material,a long fiber reinforcement material, a continuous fiber reinforcementmaterial, a metal matrix composite (MMC), a ceramic matrix composite,cermet, an organic matrix/ceramic aggregate composite, a wood plasticcomposite, or an engineered wood.